James Freney

James Freney (* 1719 in Inistioge, County Kilkenny, † 1788 in New Ross ) was found in the first half of the 18th century acting in Ireland Irish highwayman ( Highwayman ), the entrance to the Irish folk legends.

Life

Freney came from a respectable Catholic family, who lost their land as many others ( to Ballyreddy Castle) in the 17th century to the British conquerors. His father was a servant in the house of Joseph Robbins in Ballyduff at Thomastown 1718 and married the maid Alice Phelan. Freney was educated in the house of Robbins and the local school and founded in 1742 with his wife Anne pub in Waterford. He went bankrupt because he could not pay the high taxes of the city that were demanded by Catholics and he moved back to Thomastown, where he joined a street gang of robbers led by John Reddy joined (Kelly Mount Highway corridor). Mostly they made the area north of the River Nore ( at the Thomastown lag) in County Kilkenny uncertain. He left quite open to an offer, the sacrifice could convincing arguments put forward. He was declared an outlaw in 1748 ( Outlaw ) and had to face in 1749. Thanks once existing local relationships (including the Robbins family) he was able to enter into a trade with the court and was allowed to emigrate. The rest of the gang ended up on the gallows. He later returned to Ireland and worked from 1776 at the customs in the port of New Ross.

Freney is known primarily for his autobiography, which was published in 1754 in Dublin ( The Life and Adventures of James Freney, Commonly called Captain Freney ) and at the time was a great success. William Makepeace Thackeray immortalized him as a highwayman in his novel Barry Lyndon ( Freney and also robs the protagonist Barry Lyndon in the eponymous film by Stanley Kubrick ). He was a folk hero, and was known as an Irish Robin Hood. Placemarks were named after him and a ballad ( Bold Captain Freney ) sealed over him. Percy French (1854-1920), he inspired the musical comedy, The Knight of the Road (1891, later known as The Irish Girl).